Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin K
For the health condition: Bruises (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin K has a scientific basis for its use in the prevention and treatment of bruising, but the evidence is limited and mixed. Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver, and deficiency can lead to increased bleeding and a tendency to bruise easily. In clinical settings, vitamin K is used to reverse the effects of anticoagulant medications like warfarin and to treat bleeding disorders associated with deficiency.

Some small studies and case reports suggest that topical application of vitamin K creams may help reduce bruising and speed up the resolution of bruises—especially after cosmetic or dermatologic procedures. However, results have been inconsistent, and large, well-controlled studies are lacking. Oral supplementation of vitamin K is generally only beneficial in people with a demonstrated deficiency, which is rare in healthy individuals.

Overall, while there is a plausible mechanism and some evidence for the use of vitamin K in bruise prevention and treatment, especially in cases of deficiency or after certain medical procedures, the overall quality and quantity of the evidence is not strong. Routine use in healthy individuals for bruise prevention is not widely recommended based on current scientific understanding.

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